Meet Our Education Specialists: Jana Schmieding

Jana Schmieding is an Education Specialist at Center for Powerful Public Schools who helps schools implement good instructional practices that support students and their efforts to be authentically college and career ready.

I always feel like I get an opportunity to problem solve.

“I come from a family of educators,” said Schmieding. “I love leadership and I first moved to New York City to pursue acting, but I really didn’t feel challenged by the work I was doing. I like to be intellectually challenged on a daily basis, and education fulfills that for me. I always feel like I get an opportunity to problem solve.”

Jana works with Performing Arts and Media Academy at Carson, ESET at Carson, Cleveland High School Global Academy for Interdisciplinary Media Studies and East Los Angeles Performing Magnet at Torres high school. She enjoys implementing instructional strategies tailored to each of the different environments of the various pathways.

I am passionate about creating structures and guidelines that help students become their own autonomous thinkers and creators.

“My approach [to education] is one of very structured creativity in that I want students to be the creators of their own learning and thinking,” said Schmieding. “I am passionate about creating structures and guidelines that help students become their own autonomous thinkers and creators.”

Before working with the Center, Schmieding was a teacher in Bronx, NY for ten years – five at middle school and five at high school level. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts and ethnic studies and received her master’s degree in education from Mercy College.

“I hope I bring with me a wealth of experience that can help people feel inspired,” said Schmieding. “I am inspired by the movement to protect equitable education for all students and I hope that I embody that vision in my everyday life.”

Cailynn Knabenshue

Cailynn Knabenshue is a Communication Intern at Center for Powerful Public Schools. She produces digital content and research for the Center. Previously, she created digital content for the Los Angeles Times.